Pressure is a natural occurrence in any organization. Pressure comes from many directions, and the type of stress it creates depends on many factors— professional and personal. How you deal with it might make or break you — and your team or company. A healthy level will energize us, but too much stress over a long period will hurt your health, life, and work.
No workplace will be stress-free — if it is, probably not much is happening, and not much progress is being made. Therefore, stress and pressure are something we all have to live with and deal with.
In my experience, the best way to handle stress is to immediately address what is stressing me out. Take actions that will start taking the pressure down. Also, be honest and vulnerable in your approach. Sometimes it might be to ask for help or admit a mistake that is nagging in your gut and needs to get out. If stressed out about something that might have gone wrong, put it "on the table" quickly — discuss it with your manager or co-worker or reach out to a coach or mentor for help. If you are the CEO, I highly recommend that you have an outside coach that you can reach out to. It's like in sports; no top athlete is on their own – they always have a trusted coach.
One approach to stress that, in my experience, is not working is to ignore it. Take action — send an email to a relevant person with your concerns, make a call, discuss over lunch, and take steps to help reduce stress and eliminate that particular situation. As soon as you have brought up the issue with someone, it will start calming you down. Maybe it's to talk with a trusted person for advice on the next steps and how to handle it. You will immediately begin to feel better and find solutions.
Another approach to reducing stress is to go for a walk in a beautiful place. Find a park, a lake, or a lovely natural area to clear your head and restore rational thinking. I have sometimes experienced that I'm not analytical in stressful situations; my brain is spinning in a loop that is challenging to get out of — a quiet walk clears up a mental blockage, and solutions come streaming in — an excellent feeling. Then take immediate action and feel how the stress level is coming down as the situation is being resolved. A smile and laugh also help — laugh at the problem and how worked up you got about something you quickly solved after a walk or talking with a trusted person.
The work culture of your company will have a significant impact on pressure and stress. I once worked at a start-up with a "swim or sink" culture balanced with openness and strong encouragement to admit and learn from mistakes and to reach out for help when needed. This created an incredibly effective work environment and culture with tremendous pressure focused on results but enough openness and support for me to be able to handle it. The key is to find this balance and have leaders who understand the need to create a culture that values and supports each employee's specific needs with a healthy portion of empathy. In an environment like that, many can perform very effectively, even with a lot of pressure.
Also, striking a good life-work balance and caring for our health are essential to reducing stress. I have personally enjoyed starting the day with exercise. Running has been a passion since my early teenage years and has stayed with me. Try to get something done every day, no matter what sport you enjoy. Some days, it’s just a walk at lunch around the parking lot or your home. That’s also good; it does not always have to be a significant effort. It all has a positive impact. And importantly, don’t let exercise be another stress factor — “oh, I did not exercise today” — and then be stressed about that too. Always be kind to yourself. It’s OK to miss a day or two of your exercise.
I would highly recommend that everyone have a coach or mentor. Someone you trust to have your best interests at heart and has the experience to ask the right questions, listen, and give advice. I can guarantee that such a person will have a tremendous positive impact on reducing pressure and stress and improving performance and well-being. If you don't have a coach or mentor, get one. It does not matter if you are in an entry-level position or a CEO — extremely valuable for all.
You might have to get out of your comfort zone to reach out to someone to be your coach or mentor — but be assured, you will find that most will be honored by your request. If it doesn't work out the first time, try again. It will be worth it for you. It has been for me.
Summary to reduce stress:
Take action - send that email, make the call or have lunch with someone who can help.
Be honest and vulnerable in your approach.
If something is "nagging in your gut," get it out. Discuss it with your manager or co-worker or reach out to a coach or mentor for help.
As soon as you have brought up the issue with someone, it will start calming you down, and solutions will appear.
A walk in the park will always clear your mind and restore rational thinking — it will help you find solutions.
Strike a good life-work balance and care for our health.
Get a coach or mentor. Tremendous value. It will be worth it for you. It has been for me.
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